Sunday, November 04, 2007

Musharraf faces US aid pressure

BBC

The US is to review its multi-billion dollar aid package to Pakistan after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed that some aid was directly linked to tackling al-Qaeda and Taleban militants - a major US priority.

The UK, another major donor, says it is examining whether the emergency will affect its aid to Pakistan.

Mr Musharraf said he was imposing the emergency in order to curb extremism.

Islamabad has suggested parliamentary polls scheduled for January could be delayed by up to a year.

Rights have been suspended, media have been restricted and at least 400 people arrested under the emergency decree.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the emergency would last for "as long as is necessary".

Lawyers' groups have called for a nationwide boycott of the courts on Monday and there have been small protests in the capital, where police and security forces are on the streets surrounding key sites......

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